China Tariff War Begins: US and EU Join the Fray

The global economy has been smoldering for so long, yet it hasn't really taken off.

Instead, various unexpected issues keep emerging.

The ill wind of trade protectionism is blowing stronger and stronger.

Looking around the world, every move made by China and the European Union, these two "giants," affects the nerves of countless people.

Recently, the EU is considering imposing additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, which is clearly "stirring up trouble"!

For a while, all kinds of voices are flying around, and the murky waters of China-EU trade are about to get "lively" again.

Speaking of which, this is not the first time the EU has "targeted" Chinese electric vehicles.

Before, they used "anti-subsidy" as an excuse to take action against Chinese electric vehicles, imposing a wave of temporary tariffs.

This behavior is really ugly!

Now, they are going to "repeat the old trick," planning to turn these temporary tariffs into permanent ones, clearly aiming to "shut the door" on Chinese electric vehicles.

You have to say, the EU's move of "killing a thousand enemies and losing eight hundred" has a "black hand" behind it - the United States.

Think about it, if Chinese electric vehicles are "banned," who is the biggest beneficiary?

Without a doubt, it must be Tesla from the United States.

This move by the Americans is really "winning big."

However, China is not easy to bully.

Faced with the EU's "provocation," the Chinese government immediately made its stance clear: firmly opposed to trade protectionism, let's talk things out instead of "drawing swords" at the slightest provocation.

To show sincerity, we have also submitted a price commitment solution for the electric vehicle anti-subsidy case, which is very clear: we are all partners, we see each other all the time, let's talk things out, don't hurt the harmony.

But the EU, on the other hand, doesn't appreciate it at all, with a look of "no salt or oil," this "divine operation" is really hard to understand.

Speaking of the EU's internal situation, the issue of imposing additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles is not a solid block.

Countries like Italy and Spain, which have more trade dealings with China, are also clear that if they really "break faces" with China, it won't be good for them either.

This is not to mention that when Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez visited China not long ago, he specifically said that Spain is "reconsidering its position" and "does not need a trade war."

However, there are also many countries within the EU that are "eyeing" Chinese electric vehicles, wanting to "make a profit" at the right time.

They think that Chinese electric vehicles have developed too fast and have already posed a threat to their "traditional forces," and they must "suppress" them.

More importantly, they also want to cling to the United States' thighs and "eat a meal" with the United States.

Faced with the EU's "tightening grip," China is not idle.

We are not without "cards" in our hands.

The recent appreciation of the renminbi exchange rate shows what?

It shows that China's economy is very stable!

Even without the EU, China can still find other partners.

Moreover, our country is now the second-largest economy in the world, and its strength is not to be blown.

If China is provoked, they cannot afford the consequences.

Not to mention, take Germany for example, they are a strong country in automobile manufacturing, Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, which one is not a famous brand?

However, German automobile exports largely depend on the Chinese market.

If the EU really imposes additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and triggers a trade war, the German automotive industry will definitely suffer heavy losses.

Therefore, Germany is more anxious than anyone else now, and they don't want to be trapped by the EU's "pig teammates."

In order to prevent the EU from "committing suicide," Germany has been "running around" recently, desperately lobbying other EU member states, hoping that they can "think twice" when voting, and not sacrifice the good situation of China-EU trade for a little immediate profit.

To be honest, the EU's imposition of additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles this time is completely "lifting a stone to hit its own foot."

The global economy is not good, and they are "adding fuel to the fire," which is not "asking for trouble"?

China has always adhered to the concept of win-win cooperation and is willing to strengthen communication with the EU to properly resolve differences.

But if the EU insists on being stubborn and insists on provoking a trade war, China will never sit idly by and will take all necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights and interests.

The dispute over electric vehicle tariffs between China and the EU is essentially a microcosm of the great power game in the context of globalization.

The United States is behind the scenes, trying to maintain its hegemonic status by suppressing China.

The EU is divided internally, with some countries trying to "huddle together for warmth," taking the opportunity to suppress Chinese enterprises and protect their own interests; while countries like Germany are more clear about the importance of cooperation with China and are unwilling to be used as a gun by the United States.

The rise of China's electric vehicle industry has undoubtedly touched the "cheese" of some countries.

In recent years, China's new energy vehicle industry has developed rapidly, and has made remarkable achievements in terms of technological innovation, market size, and the integrity of the industrial chain.

Chinese brands are also gradually moving towards the world stage and participating in international competition.

However, this kind of healthy competition has been maliciously interpreted as a "threat" by some Western politicians and media.

They smear and suppress Chinese enterprises with the false charges of "national security" and "unfair competition," trying to curb the rise of Chinese manufacturing.

In response to this, China has always remained calm and restrained, actively seeking dialogue and communication to resolve differences and protect its legitimate rights and interests.

The Chinese side has repeatedly emphasized that China's development is an increase in the world's peaceful forces and an opportunity for world economic growth, not a threat.

China adheres to the basic national policy of opening up to the outside world and is willing to share development opportunities with countries around the world to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.

However, dialogue and communication do not mean compromise and concession.

Faced with external pressures, China has shown a firm will and determination to take all necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights and interests.

As the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, China urges the European side to avoid politicizing economic and trade issues and not to damage the security and stability of the global industrial chain and supply chain with "small alliances" and "decoupling and breaking the chain."

The final result of this electric vehicle tariff dispute is still uncertain.

However, it can be anticipated that if the EU insists on imposing additional tariffs, it will definitely harm the interests of both China and the EU, disrupt the global industrial chain and supply chain, and ultimately only "harm others and oneself."

Faced with the interweaving of a century-old change and the century's epidemic, the world economy is weak in recovery, and countries should unite and cooperate to face challenges together, instead of undermining each other, engaging in camp confrontation, and artificially creating division and estrangement.

As two important economies in the world, China and the EU should work together to maintain the multilateral trade system with the World Trade Organization at its core, promote the construction of an open world economy, and inject more stability and positive energy into the world economy.

The door to China-EU cooperation is always open, but cooperation requires both parties to move towards each other.

It is hoped that the EU can recognize the situation, abandon the cold war mentality and ideological prejudice, and work with China to adhere to dialogue and consultation, seek mutual benefit and win-win results, and promote the steady and far-reaching development of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership.